Free cash flow
STERIS Free cash flow decreased by 0.9% to $199.50M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 18.1%, from $243.60M to $199.50M. Over 3 years (FY 2022 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 25.1% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $41.03M | $94.37M | $163.19M | $98.66M | $115.81M | $21.06M | $113.76M | $144.35M | $214.53M | $62.80M | $172.31M | $163.31M | $195.60M | $148.90M | $243.60M | $189.90M | $326.40M | $201.30M | $199.50M |
| QoQ Change | — | +130.0% | +72.9% | -39.5% | +17.4% | -81.8% | +440.3% | +26.9% | +48.6% | -70.7% | +174.4% | -5.2% | +19.8% | -23.9% | +63.6% | -22.0% | +71.9% | -38.3% | -0.9% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +182.3% | -77.7% | -30.3% | +46.3% | +85.2% | +198.3% | +51.5% | +13.1% | -8.8% | +137.1% | +41.4% | +16.3% | +66.9% | +35.2% | -18.1% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is STERIS's free cash flow?
- STERIS (STE) reported free cash flow of $199.50M in Q4 2025.
- How has STERIS's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- STERIS's free cash flow decreased by 18.1% year-over-year, from $243.60M to $199.50M.
- What is the long-term trend for STERIS's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2022 to 2025), STERIS's free cash flow has grown at a 25.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $397.25M to $778.00M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.